“Happy New Year. On the threshold of the New Year, full of promise of peace and prosperity, The Intelligencer wishes all of its many readers in this city and district and the Old Boys and Old Girls far away who still eagerly await the regular coming of the Home Paper, a very peaceful, prosperous and happy New Year.”

The Intelligencer December 31, 1918 (page 6)

“The Great Question in Belleville. Demobilization and Re-establishment of Our Boys to Civilian Life. The Great War Veterans are Assisting in This Great Work. What Are You Doing? Come to the Monster Mass Meeting City Hall Thurs. Jan. 2, at 8 O’Clock Sharp.

The citizens of Belleville want a greater and larger city. The Great War Veterans do also. What is more important than retaining and attracting our boys as they return, with the broad visions and ideals they developed on the fields of Flanders to help us here in Belleville attain these desires?

“Ritchies. Our Hearty Thanks For 1918. Before wishing you greetings for the New Year we feel it our duty to bestow thanks for the year just ending—1918: Thanks for victory, after four long years of struggle—Thanks for having lived during the year 1918, the most wonderful twelve months in history; and we thank you for your generous patronage during 1918—and by continuing our efficient merchandizing service we hope to merit a continuance of it during the New Year.

The New Year 1919 comes to us as a nation, sharing in the well earned fruits of victory—at last able to see the sun shining through the dark clouds. Surely it is a year in which to be thankful and we wish you and yours every joy and happiness that the new season can bestow upon you. May this New Year bring increased prosperity to you—to the people of Belleville and in Canada. The Ritchie Company Limited.”

“Glad Welcome to Canadians. London. Canadian soldiers have spread themselves over England’s big cities and small hamlets for a holiday. Eight days’ leave, with free railway warrant, was freely granted from the camps. London is especially crowded and lavish hospitality is provided for overseas troops. The biggest entertainment was at Albert Hall, where 2,000 Dominion officers enjoyed a variety of entertainment by leading stars, followed by tea, a dance, and supper, the whole cost being defrayed by lady supporters of the Beyond Seas Association which already has done so much to make the stay of the overseas officers in London happy.”

“Writing on ‘Invisible Wounds’ Capt. Arthur H. Samuels, says that the greater percentage of soldiers passing through reconstruction centres are suffering from internal rather than outward surgical injuries, men who are suffering from shell shock, for instance. They look fit. … No small part of the keen intuition that knows how to sympathize by silence and unobtrusive helpfulness and that is so absolutely necessary in the great work of helping these men to ‘find themselves’ rests with the women of every community. If the returned man becomes discouraged and outclassed after leaving the reconstruction centres the fault will be found to rest almost invariably with the women who have sympathized in unwise rather than helpful ways. Open commiseration is often nothing less than refined cruelty and is never the best sort of help. Thus there is added another phase to women’s war work, study of the best ways of helping unobtrusively.”

The Intelligencer December 27, 1918 (page 5)

“Visited by Santa. Despite the heavy snowfall and blizzard on ‘Xmas eve, dear old Santa was seen making his way down Front street, Frankford about 8.30 with a heavy pack. Upon inquiries it was learned he was calling upon the kiddies of the Frankford soldiers overseas who would yet have to spend Christmas without ‘daddy.’ Much cheer, along with the little gifts was brought to the homes on Santa’s visit and one mother was heard to exclaim. ‘God bless you.’ The Frankford Overseas Club with the able assistance of Mr. A. E. McAllister is to be congratulated on the noble work.”

“Christmas Cable From The King. Ottawa. The Governor-General has received the following telegram from his Majesty the King, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies: Buckingham Palace, December 24, 1918.

‘Another Christmas has come around and we are no longer fighting. God has blessed your efforts. The Queen and I offer our heartfelt good wishes for a happy Christmas and many brighter years to come. To the disabled, sick and wounded we send a special greeting, praying that with returning health you may be comforted and cheered by the vision of these good days of peace for which you have sacrificed so much. (Signed) George R. I.’

To which his Excellency has replied to the Secretary of State for the Colonies: December 25, 1918. ‘I respectfully beg you to convey to His Majesty the grateful thanks of the people of Canada for His Majesty’s most gracious message and Christmas greetings. The special reference to the sick and wounded will be deeply appreciated. (Signed) Devonshire.’ ”

The Intelligencer December 26, 1918 (page 3)

“When Your Boy Comes Home you will be glad you gave the last dollar you could spare to keep him at the front and to keep him happy, well clothed and well fed. Shredded Wheat paid its heavy toll for doing a restricted business during the war and it paid it gladly. It was a patriotic privilege. Shredded Wheat is the same breakfast cereal you have always eaten—clean, pure, wholesome and nutritious. Eat it with hot milk and a little salt. No sugar is required.”

The Intelligencer December 26, 1918 (page 7)

“Returned Home. Pte. W. E. Clarke, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Clarke, who reside at 103 Cedar street, city, unexpectedly arrived home on Tuesday afternoon. Pte. Clarke left here with the 39th Battalion in June 1915, and went to France with the 14th Battalion. During his stay in France he participated in many big battles, and on the 10th of April, 1917, at the Battle of Vimy Ridge he was buried for seven hours, which caused contusions multiple. He returned to England and remained there until December 12th, 1918, when he sailed for Canada. Pte. Clarke is now in perfect health, and his many friends in Belleville are pleased to see him home once again.”

“The Peace Christmas. The Intelligencer wishes every one of its readers all the joy and happiness possible this wonderful Christmas, when for the first time in four years this true spirit of ‘Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men’ can be realized to the full. After more than four years of a world war in which Canada has participated to an almost unbelievable extent, there are scars and aching hearts and Christmas firesides where the memory of the absent one who has given his life that the Christmas spirit should not perish from the earth, shadows the customary Christmas festivities. Brightening the shadow of bereavement, however, shines the proud thought of that heroic sacrifice which braved even the dark portals of death itself that freedom and liberty should live triumphant. ‘Who dies if England lives, and who lives if England dies?’ was well said, for the spirit of England, embracing as it does the whole Motherland, which for a thousand years has braved the battle and the breeze, is the embodiment of freedom and honor and righteousness to all nations.

Let us rejoice that the dark days of war are over, let us hope forever, the sacrifice has been great but it has not been in vain. … The war has been fought and won. Let us turn our energies with as much spirit and determination into the great problems of a happy peace as we put into the task of winning the war, and all will be well.

Again wishing our readers all joy and happiness in this first Christmas of a new and better era of peace and good will,—let us all contribute our bit, big or little, to make it so.”

The Intelligencer December 24, 1918 (page 7)

“Point Anne Bazaar. On Friday afternoon a bazaar and At Home was held in the Red Cross Rooms, Point Anne, which Mr. Shock, the Superintendent of the Canada Cement works, so kindly furnishes in aid of the Red Cross work. The small tables were nicely arranged. Mrs. Don MacDonald poured the tea, and the ladies assisting in the tea room were Mrs. F. MacDonald, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. P. Bennett, Mrs. J. D. Murphy and Mrs. H. Wagar. Mrs. George Raither had charge of the fancy work table; Mrs. T. Harris attended the door; Miss Margaret Hutchings looked after the fish pond; Mrs. E. A. Teney had charge of the whole affair, which was a decided success and over sixty dollars were realized for Thurlow Red Cross.”

The Intelligencer December 24, 1918 (page 7)

“Penny Bag Collection. The Red Cross penny bag collection will not take place this week until Friday on account of Christmas as coming on Wednesday. We hope everyone will please bear in mind our former statement regarding the necessity of continuing the work for the present. This is the easiest means of obtaining funds and we must have funds to continue the work we are endeavoring to do for our soldier boys and other sufferers. Please carry on the Christmas spirit and give as liberally as you can when the collectors call on Friday.”

“Stirring and Patriotic Addresses Given at Mass Meeting. A goodly number of citizens including a few ladies assembled in the City Hall last evening for the purpose of hearing discussed the proposed debenture By-law to be submitted to the electors, granting $10,000 to the Great War Veterans’ Association of Hastings and Prince Edward County to assist in procuring a memorial home. All the speakers called upon heartily endorsed the project and a resolution was unanimously endorsed pledging support to the project.”

“Remember the Children. Christmas is the children’s festival—in cottage and in castle they are counting the days now which separate them from the annual visit of Santa Claus with joyful anticipation. The Christmas spirit is also seizing the grown-ups and plans are crystallizing individually and collectively to make this Peace Christmas the most joyous of a lifetime.

Let us not forget the little ones who will await the coming of Santa Claus with mingled joy and fear in the Children’s Shelter—the little neglected ones who have no happy firesides blessed with the kindly influence of indulgent parents beside which to hang up their little stockings for old Santa to fill. Fortunate are they even in misfortune that there is such a kindly organization as the Children’s Aid Society to reach out friendly hands to them and provide food and clothes and shelter while finding foster homes for them. But the Children’s Shelter with all its kindly atmosphere would be cheerless indeed on that day of days without tangible evidence of the Christmas spirit in toys, candy, fruit and other miracles of kindly thought. Out of our abundance let us all help to make a Merry Christmas for the little ones at the Children’s Shelter. Gifts of cash or kind will be gladly received and acknowledged.”

“Return of Canadian Soldiers Marked By War But Happy. Many Canadian Soldiers Are Returning to Be Mustered Out of Service—Some Badly Wounded and Crippled, But All Happy to Be Home Again in Dear Old Canada—Many Happy Christmas Celebrations.

Among the soldiers who have arrived in Canada from overseas during the past few days are the following: Belleville—Capt. A. C. North, T. R. Rupskitt, M. Locke, A. Luske, A. T. Morrison. Tweed—J. R. Green. Trenton—A. R. Keeler.”

The Intelligencer December 17, 1918 (page 6)

“Prisoners of War Society. Belleville, Dec. 16, 1918. To the Editor Intelligencer. Dear Sir:—As representative in Belleville I desire to publicly acknowledge the splendid donation of $100 made by Quinte Chapter I.O.D.E. in response to the final appeal of the Society. The gift of the Quinte Chapter and other funds have been cabled overseas and the British and other allied prisoners will already have received the practical benefit through this efficient organization, for which the Universities who know the need, are all working.

Such anguish of spirit, such agony of body as they have endured—are enduring, words cannot utter, imagination cannot conceive—that is the revelation of the prisoners now being released. Yet there are those who would have us forget and forgive those Huns who wrapped the dagger in the Sermon on the Mount. Yours truly W. N. Ponton.”

“A Lasting Memorial. A progressive young citizen of Belleville suggests that as a memorial to the gallant deeds of Belleville soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice that their photographs be secured and placed in one of the public buildings with their names and particulars of service inscribed beneath. Smaller reproductions could be made and copies placed in each of the schools as an everlasting memorial to our soldier heroes who have given their lives for the Empire, for Canada and for Belleville.”